ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 27: Brandon Moss #37 of the Oakland Athletics runs to third base as Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers fields a ground ball hit by Josh Donaldson at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 27, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)

Photo: Rick Yeatts, Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 27: Brandon Moss #37 of the Oakland Athletics...

Image 4 of 12

Oakland Athletics second baseman Eric Sogard stretches out on an attempt to reach a single by Texas Rangers' Alex Rios in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 27, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Photo: Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press

Oakland Athletics second baseman Eric Sogard stretches out on an...

Image 5 of 12

Oakland Athletics' Craig Gentry (3) and Eric Sogard (28) are greeted in the dugout after scoring on a John Jaso double in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Sunday, July 27, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Photo: Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press

Oakland Athletics' Craig Gentry (3) and Eric Sogard (28) are...

Image 6 of 12

Texas Rangers' Chris Gimenez (60) and Adam Rosales (9) are greeted at the dugout by Elvis Andrus, right, and others after Rosales hit a two-run home run off of Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir that scored Gimenez in the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 27, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Photo: Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press

Texas Rangers' Chris Gimenez (60) and Adam Rosales (9) are greeted...

Image 7 of 12

Oakland Athletics' Brandon Moss fouls a ball off from the Texas Rangers during a baseball game, Sunday, July 27, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Photo: Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press

Oakland Athletics' Brandon Moss fouls a ball off from the Texas...

Image 8 of 12

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 27: Jed Lowrie #8 of the Oakland Athletics fields a found ball for the out in the first inning hit by Adrian Beltre #29 of the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 27, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)

Photo: Rick Yeatts, Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 27: Jed Lowrie #8 of the Oakland Athletics...

Image 9 of 12

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 27: Scott Kazmir #26 of the Oakland Athletics throws in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 27, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)

Photo: Rick Yeatts, Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 27: Scott Kazmir #26 of the Oakland Athletics...

Image 10 of 12

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir reaches up to grab something from his eye as he prepares to work against the Texas Rangers in the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 27, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

"We definitely want that guy healthy and playing for us because he is awesome at the top of the lineup," Jaso said, "especially when he's swinging it."

Crisp flew to the Bay Area on Sunday night to have his sore neck examined and is expected to miss the upcoming series in Houston. In his absence, Jaso led off and drove in three runs in a 9-3 victory over the Rangers, clinching Oakland's third straight series win since the All-Star break.

On and off during the season, the neck injury has slowed Crisp, the man widely credited over the past three years for making the A's tick. It's especially bothersome lately. He has three hits in 30 at-bats in his past eight games. It's uncertain if he'll go on the disabled list.

"That is a big loss," Jaso said. "You don't want him going out there and hurting himself to where he wouldn't be in the postseason if we were to make it. I'd rather have him get healthy and not hurt himself badly to where he's going to miss the postseason."

The A's are 40-29 (.580) with Crisp in the lineup, 25-10 (.714) when he's not. But when he's playing regularly and feeling right, the A's are at their best. Despite his recent woes, Crisp has a .372 on-base percentage that ranks 10th in the American League and 40 points above his career average.

The A's wanted him to see the Bay Area-based doctors familiar with his condition rather than lugging him to Houston. The preference is having him healthy for the season's final weeks.

"Rest is the best thing for it, but there are times he feels really good and it's not an issue," manager Bob Melvin said. "There are other times (the soreness) is pretty significant and he has trouble turning his head."

In Houston, the A's will face two left-handed starters, which would give Craig Gentry time at leadoff. Jaso is in the lineup against right-handers and hit an RBI single off Miles Mikolas during a five-run second inning. In the fifth, with lefty reliever Ryan Feierabend on the hill, Melvin stuck with Jaso, who hit a two-run double.

"I don't take anything from it besides another at-bat," he said.

As a catcher, Jaso sometimes finds it challenging leading off, though he's 23-for-62 with 13 runs and 17 RBIs in 16 games in the role.

"It's usually a little bit hectic coming down from the bullpen after warming up the pitcher and having to go straight to the on-deck circle and be ready to hit," Jaso said. "That can be a little crazy. ... I don't really mind."